CAPE TOWN, July 18: Cristiano Ronaldo will definitely be at Manchester United next season, coach Sir Alex Ferguson told a news conference here on Friday.

Ferguson, with the squad on their pre-season tour of South Africa, said he had held talks with the Portuguese winger in Lisbon on Monday after weeks of constant speculation about a possible big money move to Real Madrid. “The meeting went well. I think we both put across our points of view - where we stand and where the player stands,” Ferguson told reporters. “I can say he'll be a Manchester United player next season. That's our stance. He won't be sold.”

Ronaldo has persistently spoken of how it would be a “dream” for him to play for Real but the 23-year-old is under contract at Old Trafford until 2012.

He scored an impressive 42 goals last term as United won both the Premier League and Champions League.

Ronaldo had infuriated United by continuing to express a desire to quit the European champions for Real Madrid since the end of last season.

The Spanish club are reportedly willing to pay a world record 75 million pound transfer fee to land the United star, but the English club have refused to consider selling their leading player.

Ronaldo is absent from United's tour due to the ankle surgery he underwent earlier this month. He had been expected to return to action in early September, but Ferguson admits that he will be out for at least three months.—AFP